Printing machine



Sept. 12; Q My LAMB PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheetl j N VEN TOR. f/w/ufa M 44/10 M vim A TTORNE Y Sept. 12, 1933. c. M.LAMB PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 vAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII"II(I{I{(I(JIII 57 I N V EN TOR.

(an/e425 MZ/ma A TTORNE Y.

C. M. LAMB PRINTING MACHINE Sept. 12, 1933 Filed March 28, 1930 5Sheets-Sheet 3 L C C C F I 4 I L IHE [N1 "ENTOR. (FM/8x56 /'7 1mm II IIIW ll Milli 2' M ATTORNEY.

Sept. 12, 1933. c. M. LAMB 1,926,983

PRINTING MACHINE Filed March 28, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIIHIREZ-s-iINVENTOR. 62/146255 44/115 A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 12, 1 9 33 narra- PATET FIQE PRINTING MACHINE (lharies M.Lamb, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Line-O-Scribe, Inc., Adrian, MiclL,a corpo-' ration of Michigan Application Marchas, 1930. Serial No.439,794 27' Claims. (01. Ion-269) This invention relates to printingmachines more particularly adapted for the printing of display cards ofvarious kinds. It has generally been the practice heretofore to provideshow cards or isplay cards of various types either by hand drawing or byprinting the same in an ordinary printing press requiring the servicesof an expert typesetter and printer. This invention seeks to provide aprinting machine for the use the printing of display cards haveheavy andcumbersome bed plates and expensive and intricate mechanism requiringcareful adjustment and necessitating the setting of the type in a formrequired to be locked in the press.- Allof these features by myinvention are eliminated, and the object of the invention therefore isto provide a simple and inexpensive device comparatively light in weightto secure portability and providing an impression member operable byhand to cause the impression to be made on the card by means of a rolleradjustable in relation to the card to vary the pressure and/ or toaccommodate various thicknesses of card or paper to be printed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a printingmachine'in which a pair of rollers are provided in an assembled unit andspaced an adjustable distance apart, the upper roller riding over thecard or a cover member therefor and the lower roller running beneath thebed on which the type arepositioned whereby the card and type aresubject to a line pressure sufiicientiy great to produce the desiredprinting impression whereby any flexing of the bed or supportingelements for=the typeis prevented at the point or line of application ofpressure, the arrangement being such that the rollers are moved acrossthe card so thatthe entire'matter is caused to be printed progressivelyrather than by application of the pressure over the entire card surfaceas is usually the practice. By this arrangement I am able to provide alight weight structure more or less flexible in character and stillsecure a perfect impression.

A further object of the invention is to ,provide a machine of thegeneral character stated having a bed plate with a surrounding frame orrail of a character utilizable in supporting the type in place. Previouspresses required the type to'be set up and locked in a form and the formpositioned in the press. I

A feature of my invention is in the provision of a construction in whichthe frame surround: ing the bed plate becomes part of the form andarranged to sustain cross bars and means whereby the type may be set upand locked or secured in the machine and another feature of theinvention is in the provision of such a means that further ispermissible of the positioning or" the type or printing plates at anyposition on this bed surface.

A further objectand feature of the'invention resides in the provision ofa machine having a type bed and means for setting and securing the typein a predetermined position in which the bed bears a series of diagramsor lines indicative of the various sizes of cards within the capacity ofthe machine to print whereby a guide is provided enabling the operatorto set the type in the machine in any desired position relative to thevarious sizes of cards or sheets that may be printed in the machine andthus predetermine the position the printed matter will occupy in thesheet or card.

1 A further object of the invention is to pro- 7 vide a machine of thecharacter stated having the bed for supporting the type in a relativelylocked position and a means on which the card to' be printed may beplaced in a printing relationship with the printing surface but spacedtherefrom during the period of positioning the card, the holder elementor elements bearing marks indicative of the various sizes of cardswithin the capacity of the machine corresponding to those on the bed ofthe machine whereby in placing the card in the holder a guide isprovided enabling the operator to position the card in the desiredprinting relationship while out of contact with the type faces.

It is further a feature and object of the invention to provide a cardholder that is of such character as .to hex or yield as the printingrolls are moved across or over the card permittingthe card to come toimpression contact with the type faces.

An additional feature and object of the inven'-. tion is in theprovisionof means of acharacter adapted to support the card spaced frombutin a relative printing relation with the printing surface and capableof adjustment relative to the printing surface to enable the operator toprop-' erly locate the portion of the card on which the impression willbe made.

A further feature and object of the invention is in the provision of aflexible cover member overlying the card during the making of theimpression with which the holder element or elements are detachablyconnected during the taking of the impression whereby, after animpression has been made, the cover member may be removed and therebyautomatically removing the card but maintaining the card in its relativeregistration with the type whereby after the impression has been madethe card may be examined without disturbing the relative relationship ofthe card in its holder and other type faces thus permitting the cover tobe returned to place and a second or a number of subsequent impressionsmade. This permits an inspection of the printed card which ifunsatisfactory also permits a reinking of the type and a return of thecard impressions and also permits subsequent impressions under anincreased pressure through the adjustment of the distance apart of thepressure rollers.

These and other novel features of the invention are hereinafter morfully described and claimed, and the preferred form of construction of aprinting machine embodying my invention rollers in the impressionrelationship.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine showing the manner of securing thetype in place on the bed. c s

Fig. 6 is an end view of the roller unit showing the means for adjustingthe distance apart of'the rollers.

Fig. 7 is an edge elevation of the same end of the roller unit.

: Fig. 8 is a detail showing one of the card holders and its manner ofconnection to the supporting rod.

Fig. 9 is a section through the impression roll and part of the bed online 99 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of the adjustable roller.

Fig. 11 is a sectional iew on line 11-i1 of Fig. 5 showing the means ofhinging the cover member to the frameof the bed. i

The machine in its preferred form is rectangular in shape, it having arectangular frame consisting of the side rails 1 and and end rails 3 and4 at the opposite ends respectively. At the bottom edges of these railsis secured a sheet metal bed plate5 as will be understood from Fig. 2.This plate 5 is preferably of flexible sheet metal and provides asurface on which the type are to be positioned as will be understoodfrom Fig. 5. This bed is supported on a base consisting of the endmembers 6 and 7 and a connecting bottom member 8 extending therebetweenwhereby the bed of the machineis spacedfrom this member 8. At aconvenient point internediate the ends 6 and 7 of the supportingstructure is a cross bar 9 providing a space between said member and theend member 7 for receiving a drawerlO in which the fonts of type, inkingrollers etc., may be conveniently stored. It is to be understood thedrawer is in slidable relation with the side members '7 and 9 and itfurther to be understood that the side rails 1 and 2 extend beyond thecross rail l at theforward end or the machine so that the type bed isshorter than the framework as defined, the side rails of which extendbeyond the cross member land are supported upon the end member 7 of thebase or supporting structure. This arrangement provides an end space onwhich the impression element indicated generally at 11 may be movedsubsequent to taking an impression or while positioning the type andplacing the card previous to making the impression.

The type are to be set up directly on the bed plate 5 and for thispurpose the bed plate is provided' with a diagram consisting of theinner rectangle and surrounding rectangular spaces of difierent colorsas for instance 12, 13, 14 and 15 providing outlines of the same size asthe varione standard sizes of cards that may be printed in the machine.One of the features of this invention is to provide a guide means on thebed plate whereby the type may be set up on the bed plate in any desiredposition on diagram of the same size as the card on which the impressionis to be made.

I have described the guide marks or diagrams as being of rectangularform and differently colored but the character of the diagram is notmaterial except that the diagram of whatever nature should enable theoperator to set the type on the bed plate and diagram thereon to occupythe same space on the diagram as the type impression will occupy on thecorresponding size of card to be printed.

A further feature of the invention is in the means ior setting the typeon the bed plate in a locked position. As previously stated, it is usualto set the type in the form and lock the form in the press but I haveprovided a construction of bed plate which in effect provides the formfor holding the type. For this purpose each of the side rails forpractically the entire length of the bed plate between the cross bars 3and t is provided with equidistantly spaced lugs 16 providing notches toreceive the ends of cross 1'2 and 18 shown in Fig. 5.

These are metal angle bars having end portions 19 that fit in the spacesbetween the lugs and it will be evident that these ends 19 of the twobars 17 and 18 may be set in any of the aligned notches between the lugs15 of opposite side rails 1 and 2 of the machine. It will be noted inFig. 5 that the type are set between the two bars 17 and 18 there beingblocks 20, 21, and 24 positioned between the two lines of tyre shown toproperly space the lines and that looking wedges 25 and 25 are providedbetween the bar 18 and the last spacing strip or block to place the typeunder pressure and thus lock the in place on the bed plate. It is alsoto be not d from Fig. 5 that in the case illustrated the type are setrelation to the inner col red rectangular guide 12 on the bed plate andthat, due to the way the type are set and-held in place, these lines oftype may be positioned. toward the top or bottom of the guide diagram 12and thus rredetermine the position which the impression will occupy onthe card.

The card to be printed is laid over the face of the type on thesupporting elements 27 and 28 which consist of the flexible metal stripspivoted on the rod 29 supported on the side rail 2 by the over the edgeof the cover plate 38.

hinge elements 30, 31 and 32 in the construction shown. These bars 27and 28 at the hinged ends are provided with a sheet metal end portion 33in each case engaging about the the rod 29.and carrying the pivotedlocking element 34 which, in the position shown in Fig. 8 and, due tothe circular portion 35 being eccentric to the axis 36 of the member 34,releases the bar to longitudinal movement on the rod, and by turningthis member .34 in the direction of the arrow, binds the bar to the rod.v

' By this arrangement, the card holder elements 2'7 and 28 may be spaceda greater or less distance apart depending upon the size of the cardthat is to be held, and it is to be understood that additional bars ofsimilar construction may be utillzed. if desired. After the type is set,as shown in Fig. 5, these bars 27 and 28 are turned thereover withtheirfree ends resting on the side rail 1. Normally the lower faces ofthese bars occupy a plane slightlyabove the printing face of the typeindicated at 37 in Fig. Both these bars preferably bear on the upperfaces differently colored portions12 13 14 and 15 so positioned thatwhen the bars are laid over the bed and type thereon, these coloredportions lie'directly above the corresponding colored portions or guide,12, 13, 14 and 15 on the bed plate. The operator, when the bars are laidover the bed plate as stated, may then place the card of certain size onthese bars in registration with the colored guide diagram of the samesize on the bed plate. Thus, the card occupies the same positionrelative to the printing surface as the printing surface bears to therespectiveguide diagram on the bed plate.

However, as will readily understood, the type may beset up in anyspecific relation with either of the diagrams on the bed plate and thecard may bedifferently disposed in view of the fact that the elements 27and 28, which support the card during the printing operation, may bemoved to carry the card to such position that the impression-011 thecard will not be in the same relative place as is indicated by theposition the type or printing surface occupies relativeto any particular guide diagram.

After the card is positioned on these holder elements 27-and 28 it isdesired to detachably secure the same in position to preventdisplacement on the holder either accidentally or through operation ofmaking the impression thereon. For this purpose I preferably employ theflexible cover plate 38 which is preferably of sheet metal lined on theinner face with a rubber or other yieldable pad 89. Each of the members27 and 28 is provided with a spring latch 40 on the outer end thereof aswill be understood from Fig. 2.

This latch consists of a block41 which, when the parts are in theposition shown in Fig. 2, is supported directly on the upper face of theside rail 1 supporting the free end of the bar 27 and 28 atthe said endat the same height above the bed plate as it is supported at the hingeend by the rod 29. Each'block 41 has a slot 42 at the end in which thelatch member 40 is pivoted and a spring 43 is provided tending to forcethe latch The upper edge of both these latch members 40 for the members27 and 28 is rounded as shown and thus when the bars 2'? and 281lovebeen laid over the printing bed and the card 44 placed thereon in thedesired position the cover member may be then turned downwardly over thecard in which movement the latch members 40 are caused to clamping thecard-between the cover and the bars 2'7 and .28. This securely holds thecard in the predetermined position relative to the printing surface andthe machine is then'ready to make the impression it being understoodthatthe type has been inked with a hand roller previous to thepositioning of the cards on the holder members.

The holder members thus perform an importent-function in the placingof acard in that the card may be freely handled by the operator while onthebars to position the same as may be desired without fear of smudging thecard due to the fact that it is sustained above the face of the type andout of contact therewith. Thus, the operatoris-free to manipulate thecard as may be desired while supported on the holders and to positionthe same in the desired relative relationship with the printing surfaceand/or with the respective guide diagram on the bed plate.

The card holder in the construction shown thus consists of a covermember and two or more bars 2'7 and 28 between which the card isclamped. The invention, however, is not :restricted :to the use of afull cover member although that is the preferable construction butwhateverconstruction is utilized the essential characteristic resides insuch an arrangement that the card, when once located by the operator, isclamped in a position relative to the printing surface and/or the guidediagram and on e1ements which will flex in the passage of the pres:-sure roller thereacross to cause an impression tobe made on the card bythe type and that will permit the card to be raised for examinationsubsequent to the impression having been made and returned to original.position in exact registration with the printingsurface for subsequentimpressions if desired.

The impression unit 11 consists of the end castings 45 and 46 betweenwhich extends .a tie rod- 47 providing a handhold for the operator todraw the unit across the cover when the latter is in the position shownin Fig. 2. Also supported between these members or castingsis an upperroller 48 preferably of metal and a lower roller 49 also of metal, theshaft 49a of which provides a tie rod between the two end members 45 anddisposed lugs 54s on the casting 46 extend over the rail as will be'seen in Fig. 5. The upperroll 48 is less in length than the lower roll49 in the construction shown and the lower roll is designed to ride incontact with the bottom surface of the sheet metal bed plate 5 while theupperroll is designed to ride over the surface of the cover plate 38 tomake an impression. The lower roll 49 therefor supports the bed plateapproximately along the line of pressure of the upper roll on the typeor cover.

By such arrangement I am able to avoid the use of a heavy bed platestructure usually required in ordinary printing presses and can uselight flexible material due to the fact that the typeimpression is madeby a line contact of the roller 48 progressing across the respectivesurface in fixed relation with the supporting roller 49 and the partsare therefore not permitted to relatively fiex in making the impressionof the type on the card. For this reason the impression unit is capableof being varied in position vertically relative to the side rails 1 and2. When out of impression position and in the position shown in Fig. 5the lugs 54 of the element and 54 of the element 46 support the unit andon the side rails, in moving the impression rollers from this front endposition of Fig. 5 over the cover member and the bed plate 5 in printingthe card, the impression unit may vary in vertical position relative tothe side rails due to any inequalities of surface of the cover member orvarying thickness of cards to be printed or other irregularities such asthe position of the plane occupied by the various type faces some ofwhich may be slightly higher than others. All of these mechanicalirregularities'in construction do not detrimentally affect the resultantprinting operation and, due to the fact that the card is held betweenthe cover member and the holder bars 2'7 and 28, the card cannot bedisplaced by successiveprinting movements of the impression member whichis adapted to traverse the bed plate and cover from one end to the otheror any portion thereof.

To permit the impression unit to traverse the side rails from end to endand across the cover member, it is to be noted that the lugs 54 on theend casting 45 and lugs 54 on the end member or casting 46 of theimpression unit extend over the face of the respective side rails 1 and2 only fora portion of the width thereof. The reason for this is thatthe end blocks 41 on the card holders 27 and 28 require to lay on theupper face of the rail 1 as suggested by dotted lines in Fig. '7 andlikewise the hinge elements 30, 31 and 32 on the rail 2 are spaced fromthe outer side face thereof permitting the lugs 54 and 54 to freely passalong the respective side rails. The lugs do not bear on the side railsin the printing operation their function being to support the impressionunit when moved to the forward end of the machine off from the printingbed or type container. When the rolls are in engagement with the bed andupper surface of the card or cover member, the impression unit issuspended solely by those members and the mounting of this impressionunit is such as to permit the same to occupy various positions in avertical plane.

It has heretofore been stated that when the card is in place as shown inFig. 2, it is held out of contact with the printing surface by the covermember and the supporting bars 27 and 28. These are flexible incharacter and are supported only at the opposite side edges and inmoving the impression unit across the same in making an impression thesecard holding members are flexed sufficiently to cause the face of thecard to engage the inked face of the type.

Preferably, to insure sufficient flexibility, the hinge elements 30, 31and 32 secured to the bed plate, as indicated in Fig. 11, have anaperture for the rod 29 slightly greater in diameter than the diameterof the rod which will permit the edge of the cover member to bedepressed but it is to be noted that the corresponding hinge elements 3031 and :32 on the cover fit the rod as do also the elements 33 for therespective card holder bars 27 and 28. Thus, there is no relativemovement of the bars 28 relative to the cover member but they mayjointly move toward or from the typefacethrough movement of; the

pass between the end of the roller and the casting 45. The relationshipof the members 27 and 28, the cover member 38 and the card 44 to thetype face previous to the movement of the roller thereover is shown inFig. 3 and Fig. 4, and it will be noted that the card face 44particularly on the line of the roller contact is brought into printingcontact with the type face.

It will also be seen in these views that the bars 17 and 18, the spacingelements or blocks 20, 21, 22, 23v and 24 and the wedge blocks 25,

and 26 are less in height than the type 37. Thus, the supporting bars 27and 28 may extend across the bed plate at any point other than thatoccupied by the type and more than two holder elements may be providedif desired. A feature of this invention that is secured by this generalarrangement of holders and the member or members to be clamped therebyby the catch 40 is not only that the card is held from displacementduring the printing operation but also in order that, after theimpression element has been run across the bed plate and card and covermember and returned to the position shown in Fig. l or Fig. 5, theholder members may be turned upwardly as shown in Fig. l permitting theimpression to be observed while the card is held in its relativeposition to again register with the type face when turned downwardlythereover for further submission to the pressure roller to insure aproper impression. One reason for such arrangement is that it sometimeshappens that the face of one or more type is a little lower than othersand may not be as well inked as the remainder. Therefore, after thefirst impression is made and the cover raised as shown in Fig. l, thetype may be again inked, the cover and card returned to printingposition and the impression rollers again run across the cover memberone or more times to prevent unevenness appearing in the impression onthe card as the successive movements of the impression rollers acrossthe coverand bed plate will press out any irregularities either in thesurface of the card to be printed or irregularities in the type faces.

A satisfactory impression is thus insured before the card is removedfrom its fixed position on the holders. It is also a feature of thisinvention to rovide an adjustment of the distance between the rollers.The purpose of this adjustment is to increase the pressure if desired orto vary the distance between the rollers required by reason of thedifference in thicknesses of the cards, to be printed. This adjustmentis of value in that if the card discloses e imperfect impression onbeing raised to a position for observation as in Fig. 1, the roilers maybe adjusted to a little less distance apart to increase the pressure forsuccessive printing movements of the impression rollers and thus anyimperfectio in the type impression may be eliminated. Th adjustment ofthe distance apart of the rolls. is secured by the mechanism shown moreclearly in Figs. 6, '2, 9 and 10.

V g In Fig. 6 it will be noted that the longitudinal axis of the roller48 is eccentric to the supported end55 of its shaft. In the longitudinalsection of the roller, shown in Fig. 10, it will be noted that the endportions 55 and 55 for the shaft 56, which are supported in bearings inthe respective end members and 46, are eccentric to, theportion 56 ofthe shaft extending therebetween, and that this shaft adjacent the innerfaces of the end castings and 46 respectively has attached thereto innerball races 57 and 58. The cylindrical outer face of the respective innerball races therefore is eccentric to the axis of the respective endportions and 55 of the shaft.

The outer ball races 59 and 60 for therespective inner races are securedin the end of the roller 48. As will be noted more particularly fromFigs. 6 and 7, a lever 61 is attached to the shaft end 55 extendingradially outwardly therefrom and has a return bent end 62 spacedtherebetween to re-. ceive'a spring restrained pawl 63. This pawl, aswill be seen clearly-in Fig. '6, has a toothed or pointed end 63 toengage the ratchet teeth of the arcuate rack 6e formed as acomponentpart of the end member l5. By moving the arm 51 in the direction of thearrow shown in Fig. 6,. the distance between the rollers 48 and lSisdecreased but any pressure tending to spread the rollers, as forinstance through movement of the compression unit across the bed platein making the type impression, is prevented due to engagernent ofthepawl in the teeth of the ratchet 64 and thus, to increase thedistance apart between the rollers, it is necessary for the operator tograsp the pawl and release the same in order to turn the arm in adirection the reverse of that shown by the arrow in Fig. 8. A sprin 65tends to maintain the pawl in engagement with the ratchet. Due to theend portions 55and 55 being mounted eccentric-ally to the portions ofthe shaft supporting the inner ball races, the roller is adjustedto anequal degree at both ends.

This is the preferred form. of roller adjusting mechanism but variouschanges may be made in this mechanism without departing from the spiritand scope of the inventiondefined by the s as various means foradjusting appended clai the spacing of he rollers may be utilized.

The roller 49 in the construction shown is nonadjustable, it merelybeing rotatable on bearings similar to that provided for the roller 48the axis of rotation of which is the axis of the shaft 49 supporting therollers.

In recapitulaticn, the operation of the device is as follows: The typeor printing plates are set in the desired relation directly on the bedplate 5 in the desired position. The diagram enables the operator toposition the type as may be desired as the diagram provides a guide toindicate the position the type impression will occupy on the card of thesize to be printed thereby. The type are supported in place on the bedwhich provides the form in which the type are looked as has previouslybeen described and then the card holder elements are laid over the faceof the type. spondingly to the marks on the bed so that the position ofthe edge of the card toward either side rail of the bed may be placed inregistration-with the marks on the card holder which are above but invertical alignment with the corresponding marks on the bed. The ends ofthe card may be positioned by the operator through observation. of therelative position thereof in the relation to the marks on the bed platetherebelow for the size of the card being printed. Thus,

The card holders are also. marked corre-,

the card may be accurately positioned in registration with the marks onthe bed plate relative to which the type have been set.

The next step is to locl; the card in place. This may be accomplished invarious ways but preferably by means of the cover plate as heretoforedescribed which'is turned down over the card and holders and with whichthe holders are detachably connected by means of the latch elements 4Owhereupon the card is securely held in its predetermined relativeposition and yet may be turned as indicated in Fig. 1 out ofprintingposition withoutloss of registration. After placing the card andturning the cover member and card holders upwardly as shown in Fig. 1,the type and/or plates are inked and the cover member laid downwardlythereover but in spaced relationship withthe inked face of the type aswill be understood from Fig. 2. This is an important feature becausewhere a number of cards are to be printed from the same set up it isnecessary to position each card and lock the same in place before. theimpression is made and therefore'the card holders are arranged tonormally hold the card above the printing face of the type permittingmanipulation thereof without fear of smudging the card. When the typehas been inked the cover member and card holders are turned downwardlythereof as indicated in Fig. 2 and the impression unitconsisting of theadjustably spaced rollers heretofore described is, drawn across the bedplate one or more times and then returned to inoperative position at-theend of the bed, the cover raised thus raising the card to position forobservation of the impres-. sion and if, imperfect the card may bereturned again for successive operations of the impression unit andunder increased pressure if desired. V

The fact that the cover member and card holders are fixed to a commonrod insures these two members maintaining their relative lockedposition'under the operation of the impression unit and the loosenessoftth'e bearing for the rod provided on the side rail2 perinits verticalmove ment of the cover member and card holders and thusanydiiferences'in thelheight of the print-- ing face from the upper face ofthe bed plate on which they-rest is compensated for. .By this isineantnot only difierences that may occur between type of the same fontbut also differences that may exist in the heights of different fonts ofThis ,mountingof the rod is shown more type.

The

particularly in the sectional view Fig. 11.

metal and therefore flexiblein character as is also the covermember and.card holders. The

type container therefore has upper and lower,

fiexiblewalls but nevertheless a'perfect impression is secured by reasonof the adjustably fixed spacing of the roller members whichare moved bedplate itself as previously stated is of sheet without varying thegeneral relationship thereof and then the same may be reloclied.

This ability to set the type directly in the machine which is to printthe same therefore has an important function particularly for unskilledpersons for use of which this device is designed, and the arrangementprovides a means for looking the type practically identical in resultwith that in use in the forms usually used with printing presses. By myarrangement therefore the form which is an inherent part of the machineis as large as the largest card to be printed and is adjustable in amanner to securely hold even a single type in locked position. Also byuse of this methodof and means of locking the type in place the type arewell supported and held .nder pressure from lateral displacement tendingto be produced by movement of the impression roller thereacross byreason of its line of pressure contact being moved progressively acrossthe flexible container and set type. I

By reason of light weight of material that may be used the apparatus isportable and a further advantage is secured in that due to the lightnessin weight the frame may be arranged to receive one or more 'drawersforcarrying fonts of type, plates, inking rollers and like paraphernalia required for apparatus of this kind and thus with holders for suchmaterialand the printing apparatus itself are assembled in a singleportable unit.

From the foregoing description it is believed evident that the variousobjects of the invention are attained by the preferred form ofconstruction described, and that the various changes in the constructionand arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode ofoperation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited tates is g v 1. In a printing machine, a flexible bed plateproviding a support for type or plates to be printed, means for holdinga card or the like in spaced relation over the printing surface, aflexible cover member for the card and holder by depression of which thecard is moved to printing contact with the printing surface, and a pairof adjustably spaced rollers one extending beneath Y the bed plate andone in parallel relation therewith over the cover member adapted to'bemoved across the device to cause a deflection of the cover member toprint the card, the lower roller supporting the bed plate fromdeflection at the line of pressure application as the rollers are .movedacross the device, and means for fixedly holding the rollers in theadjustably' spaced position.

2. In a printing machine, a flexible bed plate and a flexible covertherefor providing a container for type or printing plates, the upperand lower walls of which are flexible, means associated with e the coverfor holding a card in spaced printing relationship with the type, animpression element movable across the container including a roller forcontacting he cover, and a roller for contact- I ing the under surfaceof the bed plate by which the bed plate is held from deflection on theline of application of pressure in the printing operation, and means formaintaining the rollers an adjustably fixed distance apart.

3. In a printing machine, a bed plate of flexible character on which thetype or printing plates may be positioned for the printing operation, acard holder for holding the cardspaced from the type face and in thedesired printing relationship therewith, a flexible cover for the cardand bedplate, the cover and bed plate providing a flexible walledcontainer for the type, an impression element consisting of a framework, a roller supported thereby and extending beneath the bed plate incontact therewith, and a parallel roller for contacting the cover, meansfor varying the distance apart of the rollers, the said impressionelement being adapted to be drawn across the bed plate and cover tocause a printing impression, the rollers supporting the bed plate fromdeflection during the printing operation.

4. In a printing machine, a bed plate and a cover member of flexiblesheet metal between whichthe type are positioned, means for holding acard therebetween in spaced printing relationship with the type, animpression element consisting of a framework, and a pair of spacedrollers adjustable as to distance apart adapted to be drawn across thebed plate and cover, the lower roller supporting the bed plate fromdeflection and the upper roller causing a deflection of the cover memberand moving the card to pressure contact with the type-in a verticalplane cutting the line of contact of the rollers with the bed plate andcover member respectively whereby at the time pressure is imposed on thetype the same are held from deflection, and means for fixedly holdingthe rollers the adjusted distance apart. I

5. In a printing machine, a bed plate of sheet metal, a peripheralframework thereabout, the opposite side rails of which have notchestherein, the side rails extending beyond the bed plate at one end, asupporting base for the bed plate supporting the side rails in spacedrelation with the bed plate, a type supporting means including barsextending between the notches of the bed plate, means for locking thetype in relationship therewith, a card holder adapted to support a cardover the type face in spaced relation therewith,

and an impression element comprising opposite end frames for riding thesaid side rails of the bed plate and extensions, a roller extendingbetween the end plates and beneath the side rails and another rollerextending between the end frames above the side rails, means foradjusting the upper roller toward or from the lower roller, the saidimpression element being movable along the side rails with the lowerroller in contact with the under surface of the bed plate and'the upperroller in pressure contact with the card holding element to produce animpression on the card by the type, the holder element being hinged atone side of the bed plate permitting the holder to be turned upwardly toobserve an impression or turned downwardly thereover in registrationwith the type whereby succeeding inkings and impressions may be made,the extensions of the end rails providing a supporting means for theimpression element between the printing operations. l

6. In a printing machine, a sheet metal bed plate including a peripheralframework and side rails extending therebeyond at one end, a supportingmeans for the bed plate at opposite ends for spacing the same from asupporting surface, the side rails of the bed plate extending above thesurface thereof providing a space in which the type may be positionedfor the printing operation, a'card' holder hinged to one of the siderails of the bed plate and adapted to be turned downward thereover tosupport a card and permit the positioning thereof while in spacedrelation ship with the printing surface, a sheet metal cover memberhinged to the bed plate and adapted to be turned over the card holdertohold the card between the holder and the cover whereby the cover may beturned upwardly carrying the card terewith in a predetermined positionon the holder or downwardly over the bed plate to position the card inprinting relationship, and an impression element consisting of the endframes and a pair of spaced rollers therebetween adjustable as todistance apart normally occupying a position on the extended side railswhen in non-printing position and movable along the side rails with thelower roller contacting the under surface of the bed plate and the upperroller contacting the cover member to cause a printing impressionbetween the card and the type and thereafter to be returned to itsnormal non-printing position to permit examination of the printed cardor removal thereof and positionin of another card for a successiveoperation.

'7. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type may be directlyset,means associated with the bed plate adapted to hold the type in setrelationship at any predetermined position thereon, a card holder bywhich the card may be positioned in the desired relationship with thetype and spaced from the printing face thereof or moved from suchposition, and'an impression elen ent including a non-yielding rollermovable across the machine to cause an impression of the type on thecard, and means for holding the roller in an adiustably fixed positionrelative to the type face during the printing operation. 7

8. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which printing members may bepositioned and secured thereon for the printing operation, means:associated with the bed plate on which a card may be positioned inspaced relation with the printing surface in relative printing relationtherewith, the saidcard supporting means being of a character to bedeflected by pressure to permit the card to engage the face of the type,and an impres onelenient for causing the card to contact the printingsurface under pressure, said impression element being adjustably' fixedin posimachine, a bed plate on which My be positioned and securedciatedmi h the bed plate on which a card may be positioned in spaced rel'on with the printing suriace'in relative g relation therewith, the saidholder being oi a character to be deflected by pressure to permit thecard to engage the face of the type, and an impression element forausing the card, to contact the printing su under pressure, and meansfor varying the pressure of the impression element, said means includingmeans for fixedlyfholding the impression element in set position.

10. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type may bepositioned, a card holding device adapted to occupy a position over thebed plate to support a card thereon in s" ced relation with the printingsurface and thereby permitting the positioning oi the card. in thedesired printing relationship therewith, means for securing the card inits predetermined position relative to the holder whereby the holder maybe turned to expose the impression surface of the card and returned topredetermined spaced relationship with the type face, an impressionelement adapted to apply pressure to cause printing contact between thecard and the printing surface, the holder being defiectible under thepressure ting operation, means assoof the impression element andoperating to lift the card from contact with the printing surface whenthe impression element is removed, said impression element including aroller for causing the printing impression, and means for inaintainingthe roller in an adjustably fixed position to thereby predetermine theprinting pressur 11. In a printing machine, a bed plate having a diagramthereon relative to which printing members may be predeterminedlypositioned, means forsupporting the printing members for theprintingoperation, means for supporting a card in a predeterminedrelationship with the diagram and in spaced relationship with theprinting members, and an impression element for causing printing contactbetween the card and the printing surface.

12. In a printing machine, a bed plate having a diagram thereon relativeto which printing members may be predeterminedly positioned, the diagrambeing of a character whereby the type may be set in a desired positionfor the several sizes of cards which the machine is adapted to print,acard holder having marks thereon corresponding to the various marks ofthe bed plate enabling the operator to place the card in the holder inpractical registration with the diagram relative to which the type hasbeen set on the bed plate whereby the impression on the card will bearthe same relationship thereto as the type does to the diagram of the bedplate, said holder being of a character to enable the card to bepositioned over the printing members and in a spaced relationshiptherewith or turned from such position and means for causing a printingimpression to be made on the card.

13. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type are to besecured for a printing operation, the bed plate being marked in a mannerto indicate the several sizes of show cards which the machine is adaptedto print whereby the type may be positioned predeterminedly in relationto a desired size of card, a card holder by means of which a card of anycertain size may be positioned practically in registration with therespective part of the diagram relative to which the type have beenpositioned whereby the impression on thev card will occupy the sameposition thereon as the type occupies relative to the diagram, saidholder being of a character to enable the card to be positioned over theprinting members and in a spaced relationship therewith or turned fromsuch position and means associated with the bed plate to cause a typeimpression to be made on the card. 1

14. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which type may be positioned,a card holding device adapted to support a card in printing relationshipwith thefltype spaced therefrom, one of the said elements being movableto permit printing contact between the card and the printing surface,and an impression element including airamework movable relative to thebed plate and a pair of non-yielding rollers adjustabiy fixed as todistance apart, one roller being movable beneath the bed plate tosupport the same as the other moves thereover in printing the card.

15. In a printing machine, a, bed plate on which type or plates may bepositioned for p inting, a flexible card holding der'c in hingedrelation therewith permitting the card to be positioned in printingrelationship and out of contact with the type or turned to permitobservation thereof while held in the predetermined rela--' tionshiptherewith, a flexible sheet in hingedrelation with the bed plate adaptedto be turned over the card holding device in contact with the card orsheet, latch means for securing the holding device to the flexible sheetand means for applying pressure to the holding device consisting ofrollers movable across the sheet to produce a printing contact of thecard with the type.

a 16. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type and plates tobe printed may be set, means associated with the bed plate for holdingthe set type in a predetermined relationship, a flexible card holdingdevice by which a card to be printed is held in the desired printingrelation and out of contact with the set type for the printingoperation, a hingedly mounted flexible sheet adapted to be turned overthe card holding device to contact with a card thereon, means forsecuring the holding device to the flexible sheet to thereby secure thecard in desired position thereon and means for causing a pressurecontact between the card and the type face, the hinged relation of theflexible sheet permitting removal of the card from printing position forexamination of the impression and return thereof to registration withthe printing surface for a subsequent impression.

17. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type may bepositioned for the printing operation, a card holder hinged to the bedplate and adapted to be turned thereover providing a support on whichthe card may be placed in any desired relationship with the type facewhile in spaced relation therewith, means for securing the card inpredetermined position on the holder, an impression element adapted toapply pressure to the card and holder to move the card to print.-

ing contact with the type, the holder element being flexible to permitdeflectionthereof under the operation of the impression element, saidimpression element comprising a pair of rollers ad- "the type orprinting plates may be positioned, a

card holder adapted to be positioned over the bed plate to support acard thereon in spaced relation with the printing surface and permittingthe positioning of the card in the desired relation with the set type,means for securing the card in its predetermined position on the holderwhereby the holder maybe displaced to permit examination of theimpression surface thereof and returned to the predeterminedrelationship with the type face, and an impression element adapted toapply pressure to force the card to printing contact with the printingsurface to cause an impression thereon, the holder being arranged to bedepressed under the pressure of the impression element and to lift thecard from contact with the printing surface when the impression elementis removed, said impression element comprising a pair of rollersadjustably fixed as to distance apart supported by the bed plate andmovable as a unit transversely of the bed plate during the printingoperation.

19. In a print machine, a bed plate on which type may be directly set,means for supporting the type in set relationship on the plate, a cardholder adapted to support the card in spaced relationship above the typeface to permit the card while out of contact with the type to bepredeterminedly positioned relative thereto, means for locking the cardin the holder, said means including a hinged element with which theholder is associated permitting the card to be raised out of printingposition to observe the printed face of the card or to return the sameto printing position in relative registration with the type, and animpression element adapted to cause an impression to be made on the cardby the type, said impression element comprising a pair of rollersadjustably fixed as to distance apart supported by the bed plate andmovable as a unit transversely of the bed plate during the printingoperation.

20. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which the type are 5 --tdirectly in a predetermined position, card holder ad ted to support acard in spaced printing relation with the type face, a cover memb igedto the bed plate and adapted to be tu: d over the card, means forsecuring the cover member and holder together to hold the card in afixed position, the cover member and holder being flexible to permitdeflection thereof under pressure to cause a type impression to be madethereon, and a roller element adapted to be moved over the cover memberto cause the impression to be 21. In a printing machine, a bed plate offiexible sheet metal on which printing plates and type may be positionedfor the printing operation, a card holder for supporting a card in apredetermined spaced relationship with the printing face of the type orplates, a cover member of flexible sheet metal hinged to the side of thebed plate adapted to be turned over the card and holder therefor,meanslfor detacliably securing the holder to the cover whereby the cardis fixedly held in a predetermined printing relationship with the typewhen the cover is turned over the card and bed plate, an impressionelement including a frame and a pair of adjustably spaced rollersadapted to be moved in parallel relation over the bed plate and covermember respectively to print the card and prevent deflection of the bedplate under the pressure of the printing operation.

22. Ina printing machine, a bed plate of flexible sheet metal on whichthe printing plates and.

type may be positioned, a card holder including a hinged member adaptedto be laid over the bed and to support a card thereon above the type 7thereby permitting the card to be positioned while out or" contact withthe type in a predetermined relationship therewith, aflexible covermember in hinged relation with the bed plate adapted to be turned overthe card and holder element to clamp no card in its predetermined placein the holder and permitting the card, holder therefor and cover to beturned upward as a unit to observe the card after the impression hasbeen made or to return the same to printing position with the impressionthereon in registration with the type, and an impression elementconsisting of rollers adjustable as to distance apart, one extendingbeneath the bed plate and the other thereover and adapted to be movedover the bed plate and cover member to cause a deflection of the cardholder and cover thereof providing in conjunction with the bed plate aform in which the type may be locked, means for supporting a card overthe said type in predetermined relationship therewith, and an impressionelement including a roller movable thereover to cause a printingimpression on the card and a second roller movable in contact with theunder side of the bed plate in a fixed spaced relation with the firstroller.

24. In a printing machine, a type supporting element of flexible sheetmetal on which the type are held in printing relation, means forsupporting a card or other element to be printed in the desired printingrelationship with the type, a flexible cover member having a paddedsurface positionable over the card, and a roller impression device fortraversing the type supporting element and cover member thereby causinga printing impression of the type on the card, said impression devicebeing of a construction to prevent fiexing of the bed plate by theroller.

25. In a printing machine, a rectangular framework, a bed plate providedthereon terminating short of one end of the framework and providing asupport for printing members, notched side rails for the bed plateportion, means including bars having end portions adapted for engagementin respective aligned notches of the side rails for holding set printingmembers in position on the bed plate, a card supporting device includinga gripper of a character permitting the card to be positioned inpredetermined relation with the type or raised therefrom for inspection,and a roller impression element supported by the framework and movableon the framework to beyond the bed plate to permit the positioning orexamination of a card thereon and movable on the framework from suchposition for causing a printing impression between the card and theprinting members.

26. In a printing machine, a bed plate onlwhich printing elements may bepositioned, a device for holding the sheet to be printed consisting of ametal plate, adjustable means for securing a sheet in a predeterminedrelationship on the plate whereby successive sheets may be positionedfor registration with the printing members, said plate being hingedlysupported and turnable to position a card over the printing elements andsupported by the metal plate in spaced relation therewith, or turnedfrom such position subsequent to the printing operation to permitremoval of the printed sheet and introduction of a second sheet, andmanual means for applying pressure to the plate while holding the cardin the printing relationship to thereby cause the card to contact theprinting elements under a uniform pressure throughout the printingsurface.

27. In a printing machine, a bed plate on which printing elements may bepositioned, a metal plate having a smooth unbroken surface hingedlysupported relative to the bed plate and manually turnable to printingposition thereon or to a position away therefrom, adjustable meanscarried by the plate for securing a sheet to be printed thereon inpredetermined position for registration with the printing elements whenthe plate is turned to position the sheet to be printed thereover, andmeans for applying pressure to the plate when in printing position tocause printing contact between the printing elements and the sheet.

CHARLES M. LAMB.

